Why do we need a Temple?

Chanting and hearing the glories of the Supreme Lord.

Offering direct service to the deities Sri Sri Radha Krsna.

Center of spiritual education. Sacred meeting place to congregate and revitalize spiritual energies.

Place to cherish cultural and religious heritage

Spiritual necessity.

“Just like we have got a tendency to construct a skyscraper building. As in your country, you do. So you should not be attached to the skyscraper building, but you can utilise the tendency by constructing a big temple like skyscraper for Krsna. In this way, you have to purify your material activities.”

– Srila Prabhupada in a class in front of the Samadhi of Srila Rupa Gosvami in Vrindavan, Oct 29th, 1972

More Quotes by Srila Prabhupada about Temple Construction:

“This is Krsna conscious vision: ‘Oh, there are so many skyscrapers.Why not construct a nice skyscraper temple of Krsna?’This is Krsna consciousness.” – Srila Prabhupada lecture in Bombay, Feb 25th, 1974

“In the construction of a high skyscraper and the construction of a temple, there may be the same enthusiasm, but the endeavours are different, for one is material and the other spiritual. Spiritual activities should not be confused with material activities and given up.” – SB 9.4.25, Translation and Purport

“If you have got some money, don’t use it for constructing a big skyscraper building. Better you try to construct a very nice temple for Krishna’s situation. That is proper use.” – Lecture on SB 1.2.8 — Bombay, December 26, 1972

“If you can construct nice temple in Vrindavan for me in this way, I shall be eternally grateful.” – Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna — Bombay 31 December, 1972:

“Your letters of December 23, 1972, are in hand, along with the very nice photos of the Vrindavan work, as well as the balance sheet and account of materials and supplies. I am very very pleased to see the photos how the construction is progressing very rapidly under your expert supervision. It appears that at last something is being done solid work. Now you have promised me that it will be completed by Janmastami next, therefore I am completely relying upon you to fulfill your promise to me. Of course, you will have to go quickly before the monsoon by June, but I think by that time there will be sufficient roof to keep everything dry from the rains. If you can construct nice temple in Vrindavan for me in this way, I shall be eternally grateful. Because we are worldwide movement of Krsna, and if we do not have any nice place at Vrindavan, then what will be the use? Vrindavan is Krsna’s land, and in future so many of our disciples will go there just to see, along with many tourists and other friends, so therefore we must have sufficient place for them. That will be our great contribution.”

“The pure devotee does not endeavour for anything which is against the principles of devotional service. For example, constructing a big building requires great energy, and a devotee does not take to such business if it does not benefit him by advancing his devotional service. He may construct a temple for the Lord, and for that he may take all kinds of anxiety, but he does not construct a big house for his personal relations.” – Bhagavad Gita As It Is ,12.16